Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Bert Long "91"

This is my Awesome Grandpa that I went and spent two weeks with. He has the starting of Dementia. I love this man with a ton of my heart. He is my history. I had a wonderful time listening to his stories, helping to take care of him. All us kids have cell phones and well we are always texting. He says he wants one of those things. He is a collector of all things.... Don't matter what it is he collects it. He is a product of the Depression...... This is "The Hole" us kids call it. He dug this out under the house and has crammed all his treasures into it. At night you can hear a air compressor run. I asked him about it. He said "I can't find it down there or where I hard wired it into to unplug it"..... Oh what fun.. a search will be near.

Hubby's grandma has dementia as well. They have a bad days and good days. I will never forget when she slipped out of the house last year and we looked for her for 12 hours. She fell asleep in a van parked in one of the neighbor's backyards. She just walked back in the house the next morning not even recaling what happened.

I know first-hand how difficult it can be to deal with grandparents with dementia. You have all my respect, because I know how it can tug at your heart and how emotionally draining it can be.As for the 'hole' - good gravy, I don't envy the person who has to clean that out after grandpa is gone.*HUGS*mo

That's a nice picture of Grandpa Bert...looks just like he did when I was a little kid (and that was a long time ago). I'm glad to see he has lots & lots & lots of stuff (or sh*t) to keep him busy. It almost reminds me of my dad's garage.Glad you got to spend some time with your Grandpa, he probably doesn't remember me but I remember him and he was always good to us kids.love & hugs,Brandi

I love that you caught him in a big grin! That will be a very sweet memory and one that will carry you through the days ahead.

Honey, it's so hard to see the ones we love diminish mentally - or physically! I didn't have any grandparents left by the time I turned 32. I had been very close to my dad's mom and dad. My mom died when I was just 42 so I became an "orphan."

All I can say is just love 'em, love 'em and love 'em some more.Blessings to you and your family.Prayers to you...~~~Blessings~~~

This is the picture I wanted to take... I am so happy you got this shot, his smile is genuine... I will treasure this picture as much I as I will treasue the chats we had on the back deck... I love his voice and I love his chuckle and shrug of the shoulders; he truley is a man of the era and a wonderful, wonderful guy... I too am glad you got to spend time with him as he is a treasure for sure... I just love his garage for the fact that my dad isn't to far behind him in stuff and I appreciate all of his life time treasures that he holds on too... This picture just makes me smile! Thanks for sharing Cal, Love ya Shann

I have known Burt Long for 49 years now. From his days in Brisbane, Redwood City, Pollick Pines and back to El Dorado Hills. We have had many a talks through out times and he always had good advise. We would talk and some how he would go off and the next thing you know he was giving you (good) advise, knowing you got what he said he would smile and then move on with his story. He is a good man. W--->

Grandfathers are just the most special people in the world, aren't they? My grandfather died way back in 1972 and I've never forgotten how special he was and how much I still miss him all these years later.

My grandmother on my Dad's side had Alzheimer's for a long time before she passed away in 2002 and that was so said as she ended up just being a shell of a woman and didn't know who anyone was anymore. It's such a scary thing to lose someone like that but just remember that you will always have your grandfather in your heart complete with every faculty he ever had and then some. Big hug to you!

Justified

Nienie

Something About ME

Well, A lot of people touch my heart as I wander throughout this life. If I tell you I love you!!! It means in some way, some how, you have touched my life and made it a better place by your presence just being in it. I hope you feel the same about me being in your life. Have a good one!!!!!!